"Our company are kit suppliers to many big names in rugby union, including European champions London Wasps, the Springboks and the Wallabies, and all four Irish provinces. But in terms of Welsh rugby we have finalised the four-year deal with Cardiff Blues as the jewel in the crown.

"As a club Cardiff have been a big name since their formation in 1876, supplying well over 200 international players and 40 British & Irish Lions. Now the Blues have taken over their mantle and the link-up between Cardiff and Canterbury is a major development."

Welcoming the contract, Blues' chief executive Robert Norster said, "The name of Canterbury is synonymous with top quality in the world of kit suppliers and it is a major step forward for us as a company and as a brand to complete this contract."

New Blues' signings Tristan Davies and Shaun James modelled the home and away kits for an impressed media gathering. This evening there is another launch before an invited audience at the studios of Red Dragon Radio while replica kit goes on sale at the Cardiff Arms Park shop at 6.00pm.